Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-10-12
An Unexpected Marriage


other hanging listlessly by her side.
Harry Cutter had been left an orphan
at the age Of twenty. His parents were
wealthy, aud every comfort wealth
could give was lavished upon him.
About this time a malignant disease
broke out in the city where his parents
resided, and his father Immediately
sickened with il and died. A month
later his mother gave birth 10 a daugh-
ter: but before the little Winnie was an
hour old she was motherless. Harry
procured a nurse for the babe, and soon
She grew Co be a gay, lively fascinating
child. She regarded her brother more m
the light OF father or guardian, and
he, in return, watched over her with all
the tenderness of a brother. mingled
with the love and devotion of father.
At the age Of ten she had been placed
at a school, where she remained until
she was sixteen years Of age. She WAS
rather sli sht of frame, with blue eyes,
"A fair complexion, a profusiOn OF light
brown ruglets and an artleSs and win
ulng manner.
Come, Harry, why don't you speak?
You have been silent ut least ten
minutes What are you thinking
about." questioned Winnie trying To
rouse her brother from the reverie into
which he had fallen.
II was thinking, Winnie, - he replied,
s'what YOU and Walter are going to do
if You get married. He has only his
clerk,hIp.'
~ know it, Harry" said Winnie,
but We intend % wait a year ut least.
You will consent 10 our union then.
VIII YOU uott'
Yes, Winnie, and, should not with
N Ina
married tor / know Of no man more
worthy of my precious sister than Wal
ter Adam"
Il am happy 20 hear You speak so,
Harry, for Your manner toward Walter
has always ureu So reserved that | did
not know whether you liked him or
not.
\ silence ensued for few moments,
which was broken only by the monoto-
nous tickIug Of the old clock on the
maut-l. At length Harry spoke:
Would you and Walter like TO be
married how
..Yes. indeed" " replied Winnie, the
rose tint deepening upon her cheeks,
while her brother smiled at her earnest
ness. Walter SAID last night" she
continued, that he did not wish TO
wait year; but We cannot do other
wise. -
You can, Winnie. Half of the for
tune our father left us is yours. Next
Thursday Will bc Christmas. You can
be married then and live here with your
husband. What say you to this arrange
mentg'
'Oh how happy we shall be-" muir
INJURED Winnie, almost audIbly.
After pause of few moments, she
asked;
How old are you, Harry-thirty- !
sevenE'
''Yes, Winnie, - was the reply.
''Were YOU ever IN love, IarrY5n was
the next question.
"Yes, " muic, loved once. But We
will not talk of that uow-some time l
viii tell you all about it."
please tell me HOw," said Winnie,
coaXingIy.
''Well, l Will, since you desire it."
Nv hen l was 4 young man | loved a
woman named Lucy Alcott. and her
parents had appointed i day for our
She was 20 years of age.
beautiful, accomplished woman, with
kind word and a smile for everybody.
''She was the only woman l ever loved,
and think she reciprocated my love;
but am not sure. Once l was absent
AAOAA AoAAAt AoA u Ntth, alNtllllll2 10 Z
business in distant city. While | was
gone Lucy attended party with a
young man who did not bear a good
reputation. On my return l heard of
il, and Immediately called to see her.
She greeted me affectiouately, rs was
her wont, but | upraided her harshly
for her thoughtlesS conduct.
why did you attend Mrs. Loring's
party with Charles Bakerl" | asked.
Because | wanted to. | did not /
think there was any harm IN it. she
replied.
'''You knew it was against my .
wishes, | said sternly,
You might have delayed your bust !
ness, fer you knew | wished to attend !
that party, she replied, a little willfully. |
MY business was of Importance,
and could not be delayed
"'Weu, Mr.. Cutter, | am not your
wife, and l am not bound To obey YOU,
she said, in voice of mingled pride
and anger.
"'Lucy Alcott, do you mean this?''
Iasked.
Il do, was the reply.
"'Nery well, Miss AlCott. Hence
forth you are free from all engagements
with me- said, calmly, and rising,
"She accompanied me TO the door,
and there was a perceptible tremor in
her voice when she babe me good eve
ming and | think she regretted the
words she had spoken as bitterly as |
did mine, but l was too proud to seek a
reconciliation. Now YOU know, Win
ME, why | never married"
Have you ever seen Lucy AlCott
since you parted with her that nightYr
asked Winnie, after her brother had
concluded.
''No, Winnie, have not, but | have
heard she still continues to reside in
this city, but in SecluSion. Let us drop
this subject now. Isn't it most time
for your lover tO be herey"
'Oh, Harry! l forgot to tell YOU about
Walters auut-hiS mothers sister.
He has lived with her since his mothers
death, which occurred about ten years
ago. Perhaps she will not like to be
separated from him. "
"She shall not, Winnie. You can
tell one of the servants to prepare a
chamber for her. How old is sheY Do
you knOwgn
"Thirty-fiye, l believe" replied Win
ME; and. with happy face and light
heart, she left the room, while Harry
TelapSed into a thoughtful silence.
1t was clear, cold Christmas after
noon.
Harry Cutter was seated IN his own
room, deeply engaged in the contents of
book.
Everything had ueen arranged for
the marriage of his sister, WAS to
take place in the evening
The opening of the door ui ..., room
reused Harry, and Winnie came in,
eNclaimIng:
Come down in the library and let me
Introduce you to Walters aunt. She
has been here nearly three hours; but
you have Kept yourself aloof, rs If you
did not desire TO see her.
We'll, 1 do not, to tell the truth,
Winnie" replied Harry, reluctantly
rising and closing his book.
Il think YOU Will when YOU know
who she Is, said Winnie, while she
yainly tried TO repress the merry light
that danced in her blue eyes.